COVID-19 Guest Resource Guide
Below is a list of resources we have compiled, including information on COVID-19, public welfare programs, local food resources, financial assistance, mental and physical health, emergency care, and other helpful resources.
We are still open Monday - Saturday from 8:00am – 1:00pm. COVID-19 has forced us to temporarily shift to take-out meals, but we are handing out take out packages that contain a nutritious breakfast, lunch, and extra snacks each day.
We are still distributing basic essentials like toiletries, underwear, and feminine hygiene products. If you need anything, let a staff member know when you come by and we will do our best to help.
If you have any questions, please call our main shelter line: (617) 267-0020
COVID-19 INFORMATION
General Information
● For daily updates on coronavirus in Boston, text BOSCOVID to 99411
● Mayor’s Healthline: 617-534-5050 or Toll-Free: 1-800-847-0710
● COVID-19 Resource Guide (Suffolk County District Attorney)
● "Most useful COVD-19 resource"
COVID-19 Hotline, available 24/7, dial 211
FOOD RESOURCES
● Women’s Lunch Place - 67 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116; Tel: (617)267-0020
Providing to-go meals of breakfast and lunch, Monday through Saturday, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, to pick up at the door.
● Project Bread FoodSource Hotline: 1-800-645-8333; for those who are hearing impaired, TTY: 1-800-377-1292
Provides free food assistance to all MA residents
● Map of Meal Sites for Children & Youth
PUBLIC WELFARE PROGRAMS
SNAP
● MLRI SNAP Food Assistance FAQ
TAFDC/EAEDC
● To apply for TAFDC/EAEDC, call your nearest DTA Office to start an application. The phone numbers of many local DTA offices can be found here.
MassHealth
● MassHealth: COVID-19 FAQ for Applicants & Members
● Extended enrollment period for MassHealth, into April 25: call 1-877-MA-ENROLL to gain access to enrollment period, go to mahealthconnector.org to complete application
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Bills, Rent, & Food Assistance
● United Way has a COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Funds. They will help with bills, rent and food. You can call 1-866-211-9966 and provide zip code and will be given a list of local Agencies to provide assistance.
● The Boston Family Resource Center provides housing support, utility assistance, childcare services, and more and is offering remote services.
Call 617-469-8501 for more information
● Eviction Cases and EA Shelter
Boston Housing Authority has suspended all non-essential evictions (with the exception of evictions based on criminal activity or safety issues) until further notice
Advocates have asked the Massachusetts courts to suspend all eviction cases and we are awaiting updates. Advocates are also working on suspending EA shelter terminations and fast-tracking EA shelter applications. More to come if these changes are implemented.
Emergency Funds
● Massachusetts Workers Emergency Relief Funds (Source: Massachusetts Jobs for Justice)
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, OTHER GOVERNMENT RELIEF PROGRAMS
● Apply for unemployment benefits
● Temporary Assistance for Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC)
● Emergency aid to the elderly, disabled and children
SERVICE WORKERS
● $500 relief grants for the hospitality industry
● CORE Gives COVID-19 Relief Program
For service employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 or have to quarantine due to a child or family member who has tested positive and resides in the same home. Medical documentation and proof of residence required.
● ROC Disaster Relief Fund (for documented and undocumented workers)
● ONE FAIR WAGE (for restaurant workers, delivery drivers, and other tipped service workers)
● Southern Smoke Emergency Relief Program (documented or undocumented)
● Behind you Inc. (service workers in Beverly, Salem, Marblehead, Lynn, Peabody, or Swampscott)
● Emergency Funds for Boston Area Service Workers
● Bartender emergency assistance program
● Boston Area COVID-19 Restaurant Emergency Fund
● Camberville Hospitality Relief Request
● Input Form for Greater Boston Service Industry Workers Seeking Emergency Funds
● COVID-19 Assistance Request form for Boston Area hospitality workers
RELIEF FOR STUDENTS
● Scholly COVID-19 Student Relief Fund
RELIEF FOR ARTISTS
● Relief Fund for musicians (national resource)
● The Artery Resources for Artists
RELIEF FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS
● The Betancourt Macias Family Scholarship Foundation
● Emergency funds for undocumented immigrants. Application available here or call the following number: (360) 524-3664. Help is available in Spanish and English.
● Cambridge COVID-19 Emergency Fund
● Coronavirus Care Fund - Emergency assistance for home care workers, nannies and house cleaners
Application in English, available here. Applications in Spanish, available here.
If you are a domestic worker, text RELIEF to 97779 to get updates from NDWA, and find out when the Coronavirus Care Fund applications are ready
● Southern Smoke Emergency Relief Program (documented or undocumented)
● Another Round, Another Rally Emergency Assistance
$500 relief grants. Workers in the hospitality industry, dishwasher, bartender, server, busser, chef, cook, sommelier, manager, host, concierge, cleaning staff, or barback may apply for funds
Distributing funds via Venmo, Cashapp, Zelle, or Paypal
Utilities Assistance
● For guests that live in the Boston area and need fuel assistance, you can call ABCD at 617-348-6599 to complete the application over the phone. For residents of Malden, Medford, Everett, Winchester, Melrose, Woburn, or Stoneham, call 617-519-4317.
Employment Opportunities
HEALTH: MENTAL & PHYSICAL
MassHealth Coverage & Enrollment Updates
● MassHealth will pay for all medically-necessary services related to COVID-19 testing and treatment
● Private health care insurers that are regulated by the MA Department of Insurance are required to cover the cost of testing and treatment for insured members who may be affected by COVID-19. This includes not charging copays or deductibles for those services
● In addition, the Health Connector has re-opened its Open Enrollment period, through April 25, for uninsured residents who want to sign up for health care insurance
● To start the process, households can call 877-623-6765 or apply here. (Even though the website says they are now closed to new enrollments, they are accepting them)
Mental Health Support
● National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255
● Mental Health Resource Guide (Source: MGH Psychiatry Department)
● FREE Webinar series: Regulating emotions & building resiliency in the face of a pandemic (Harvard Medical School)
● Coronavirus: Guidance for Better Mental Health (Source: Rehab 4 Addiction)
Prescription Refills
● MassHealth is allowing early refills and 90-day supplies of certain medications.
● If you need medications delivered, call your local pharmacy for delivery options. Both CVS and Walgreens have medication delivery options. Walgreens, click here. CVS, click here.
Medical Care/Support/Advice
● For medical care, support, and advice, call the Healthcare Without Walls office number: 781-239-0290, call and leave callback # and any of the nurses/doctors will reach out by telephone, can do visits by phone or FaceTime video call
For Survivors of Domestic Violence
● Resources & Important Information for Survivors of Domestic Violence (Futures without Violence)
● Casa Myrna Legal Helpline: 617-521-0146
EMERGENCY CARE
Emergency Shelter for Families
● The Department of Housing & Community Development Remote Line for families in need of emergency assistance/emergency shelter: 866-584-0653
Childcare
● Emergency daycare providers for healthcare workers, essential state and human service workers, COVID-19 health workers, grocery store employees, emergency response personnel, law enforcement, transportation and infrastructure workers, sanitation workers, DCF-involved families, families living in shelters
MUTUAL AID, COMMUNITY CARE, & OTHER RESOURCES
● Zip-code specific community resources including food, shelter, transportation available on AuntBertha
● Access HelpSteps for help finding a variety of services. To translate the page, click on the translation link on the right lower corner. If you need help navigating this website, call 1-781-428-4548
Social Connectedness
● Western Mass Peer Support Line: Toll Free: (888) 407-4515
Mondays - Thursdays: 7:00pm-9:00pm
Fridays - Sundays: 7:00pm-10:00pm
● Cape Samaritans: Statewide Helpline 877-870-4673
Open 24/7, can communicate by text as well. Available just to talk
● National Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255